That was one factor of his life, ... But I think it opens up a whole new chapter.

I've known great art to have come out of horrible, tragic times. In his short life, Tupac went through an awful lot, and I think that's one of the reasons people call him one of the greatest of all times,

Biggie was part of a dying breed of real lyricists. He continued the East Coast tradition of Big Daddy Kane or LL of being heavy on lyrics with metaphors and similes. He was a great storyteller.

It's just like wearing a big gold chain around your neck; it's a celebration of success and excess.

[Another one of his big signings, Foxy Brown, a combative female rapper whose career has lately faded, could also prove a mistake.] That's going to be his biggest challenge, ... He's going to have to start from scratch introducing her to a new audience.

[Another factor in the escalating respect for Biggie concerns changes within hip hop itself.] Biggie was part of a dying breed of real lyricists, ... He continued the East Coast tradition of Big Daddy Kane or LL of being heavy on lyrics with metaphors and similes. He was a great storyteller.